This week’s thrilling episode of Gear Factor features Exodus and Slayer‘s own Gary Holt as he passionately shares and performs his favorite Black Sabbath riffs that have influenced generations of rock and metal musicians. Holt’s admiration for the iconic band is palpable, as he connects their legendary sound to his own musical journey.

Having been on the road since early April, Exodus made a notable stop at Ohio’s Sonic Temple festival. During this event, Loudwire had the unique opportunity to catch up with Holt on the day of their performance, where he enthusiastically walked us through some of the most impactful riffs by Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, showcasing his deep-rooted appreciation for their music.

Growing up as the youngest of six siblings, Holt was immersed in a diverse array of musical influences, which significantly shaped his early exposure to rock music. His older siblings introduced him to the magic of Black Sabbath, and he fondly recalls “Iron Man” as one of the first tracks that left a lasting impression on him. He likens its significance to that of a heavy metal anthem, calling it “our heavy metal Stairway to Heaven,” illustrating how essential this riff is to the genre’s legacy.

In his engaging performance, Holt demonstrates his love for classic tracks by playing snippets of “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and even the notorious Devil’s Interval tritone, famously introduced by Tony Iommi at the beginning of their self-titled track. These riffs have not only defined a genre but have also paved the way for countless musicians who followed in their footsteps.

Reflecting on the profound influence of Black Sabbath on the metal genre, Holt passionately states, “It gave birth to everything we do — everything Exodus does, everything Slayer, everything Metallica… I think we would all be inherently different bands without Black Sabbath.” His words resonate with many, as they emphasize the undeniable impact that this legendary band has had on the evolution of heavy metal music.

In the early ’90s, Exodus had the incredible opportunity to tour with Black Sabbath while Ronnie James Dio was leading the band for the second time. Holt reminisces about the kindness and professionalism exhibited by the members of Black Sabbath towards him and his band, despite their own extensive experience in the industry.

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Holt reflects on how, even with their long-standing career at that point, the legendary band still showed them how to perform at the highest level, leaving a lasting impression on Holt and his bandmates.

To witness Holt’s take on what he considers to be the heaviest Black Sabbath riff ever, as well as to enjoy riffs by Randy Rhoads and hear more entertaining stories related to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, make sure to check out the episode below.

Additionally, we captured more exclusive content with Holt during this festival, so don’t forget to subscribe to Loudwire on YouTube for the latest updates and exciting content coming your way in the following weeks!

Gary Holt Showcases and Performs His Favorite Black Sabbath Riffs